Shock absorber strut or oleo leg for aircraft



April 1942- E. COWEY 2,279,447

SHOCK ABSORBER STRUT OR OLEO LEG FOR AIRCRAFT Filed April 6, 1940 INVENTOR= LEONARD EUGENE cowav ATTORNEV5 memes Apr. 14, 1942 SHOCK ABSORBER STRUT OR OLEO FOR AIRCRAFT LEG Leonard Eugene CoweyyKew Gardens, England 1 Application April 6, 1940, Serial N 328,230

In Great Britain September 22, 1939 8 Claims. (Cl. 244 104) This invention relates to shock absorber struts, or oleo legs as used in connection with aircraft landing gear generally and of the pneumatic, oleo, or oleo pneumatic type including a cylinder containing a piston slidably mounted therein and is particularly concerned with tail wheel or nose wheel landing gear units of the oleo pneumatic type in whichthe wheel has a castoring action.

The chief object of the invention is to evolve a construction of shock absorber strut, 'or oleo leg, which will more effectively resist the stresses imposed by heavy landings than is at present the case withshock absorber struts, or oleolegs,

- and a'member 3 which encircles'the casing at its upper end. The attachment plate 2 is formed a with anelongated hole-4, for the reception of a suitable angle and is intended for attachment to the'airframe of anaircraft by means of an'attachment plate 2 .(see Figures 1 and 4),

securing bolt or similar fastening device.

at present in use, and in the case of tail wheels, 7

or nose wheels, better self-centering properties.

A shock absorber strut, or oleo leg, for air: craft according to the invention comprises a compression cylinder for the pressure fluid, a piston slidably mounted therein, a lever in the 7 form of a wheel fork or its equivalent pivotally connected to said cylinder, or a part associated therewith and in pivotal conection with said piston at a point intermediate the fulcrum of the wheel fork and the wheel centre.

In the case of a castoring tail wheel or nose wheel, it is preferred to locate the compression cylinder within a surrounding tubular sleeve, which is rigidly attached to the airframe of the aircraft, the compression cylinder being arranged to rotate, or partly rotate, within its associated sleeve. 7

In the case of the application of the invention to the main landing legs, when nocastoring or self-centering is usually required, the compression cylinder itself may be rigidly attached to the airframe.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a. side elevation, partly in section, of a tail wheel landing unit constructed in. accordance with the invention.

Figures 2, 3 and! are horizontal sections on the lines AB, CD, and E-F respectively in Figure 1. r s 1 Figure is a sectional view illustrating the valve and its associated parts drawn to an en- The outer casing I contains an inner tubular member 5 which has a limitedamount of-endwise movement within the'outer casing for a purpose hereinafter described and is rotatably mounted therein on upper and lower bearings Ia of the oil retainingtype, the inner tubular memberqrconstituting the compresison cylinder or reservoir for the pressure or shock absorbing medium, the shock absorbing medium in the-construction illustrated consisting of oil and air dium of a piston I located within the cylinder 5, the piston comprising a central portion fitting closely-within the cylinder and carrying at'its upper and lower ends cup packings 8 extending upwardly and downwardly. The piston 1 ex-' tends downwardly and is formed with a flange 9 lying beneath the lowerlcup packing 8, the downwardly depending part ofthe piston being of 'tively prevented, whilst the felt and leather 7 washers permit of a certain'amount of rocking movement of the'tubular piston rod incidental hollow construction and being formed with a part circular or part spherical seating l0, adapted the piston being connected-together by'nieans of a transverse pin I3.

internally arranged closure member ill carry-' ing a felt washer l5 fitting closely-around "the piston rod, l2, whilst leather washers l6 and I! are located beneath the lower end of the' piston and fit closely around the tubular piston rod,- and lie in close engagement with the inner surface of the cylinder. I8 is provided disposedbetweenthe tubular piston rod and the inner surface of the member H. In this way, any possibility of grit or moisture finding its way into the lower end of the cylinder and eventually getting past the piston is eflecto upward and downward moveme t of the wheel 6.

The cylinder 5 at a point intermediate: its

length is divided into two compartments, namely,

In order to prevent the ingress ofgrit :and moisturelto the cylinder- 5, thecylinder at its lower'end is fitted with an" A further leather washer which position upper compartment i and a lower compartment", by means of a piston-like member 2|, forming an integral downwardly depending we at its lower end carriesaeap 24 in which oil transfer holes 20 which areadapted, tofbe opened or closed according to the position of the valve 25 relative thereto the valve stem at into a position in. which it closes the holes 26. 5 The member 23 is formed with one or more diametrically arranged holes 28 through which oll and outof the can pass from the cylinder'into space containing the valve.

. Normally, the valve is is'maintainedin sensed Q position, that is to say,'aposition in which the V ,1

holes 2C are closed by. its associated spring,but

j upon'the piston 'limovin'g rapidly in an upward direction in the cylinder I the valve 25 is forced,

upwardly off its seating (as she inFigures l The closure member 22 has an upward extension 43 and near its upper end carries a circular houspart of a closure member 22, closing the cylinder -at its upper end. The part 23 is of tubular form located a valve", the cap being formed with ing 44 for a feltwasher 45 in rubbing-contact with the inner surface of thecasing I, a. coil spring. bein'ginterposed between the member i and the member 42 to take the weight of the cylinder, piston and remaining. parts of the wheel unit :whichare free tol move in an upward'and downward direction and thus maintain the rollits upper end carrying a surrounding coil spring 21, ,which serves to force the valve downwardly ers'in engagement with the arcuate cam surfaces when the aircraft is in the air.

'The part B has an axially arranged boring ll,

closed at its upper end by means of a valve closure and-5) thus permittingof the relati elyfree flow a ofoil through the-holes 2i and 28 from the lower compartment II to the upper compartment l9. During rebound: and movement of the tail wheel in a downward direction and consequential down f wardmovement of the piston! in the "cylinder 5 the valve)! will be moved on to.its seatingjin partment 2| by'waywof small diameter-holes Qformed in the piston-like partli, the holes'be ing ofmuchsmaller diameter than'the holes 26 thereby restrictingthe 'i'iow ofoilito amaterial it covers the holes 26,, a proper 1 tion of the oil contained in the upper compart ment Isreturningrelatively slowly to the-'com- -member l8,'which is used for introducing the requisite quantityof oil and air, the axial boring 41 leading toafurther boringlswhich in turn 7 leads intothe interior of the cylinder by way of a-idi'p tube il'disposed just below the surface of the oil, the dip tube acting as-an oil seal and also as a guide to the oil level in the cylinder.

The-rollers '39 remain normallyin contact with the narrow partsofithe arcuate cam surfaces, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 6, and, if'displaced, will always. tend to return to that position; The

cylinder, is capable. of moving downwardly sufilciently to permit the rollers to move clear of the cam surfaces and at the same time turn throughout a complete circle about its axis. Due to, the

, arcuateshape of the cam surfaces and the downwardthrust exerted bythe weight of the aircraft tail, the rollers will'alw'ays tend to return to their j normal position if the wheelisdeilectedlaterally duringv taxi-ing, the came surfaces being so shaped that the; self-centering Eaction will besuillcient to'permit of the aircraft being taxied on the ground in a straight line across wind, but not to' interfere with the necessary castoring moveextent: In this way, the air contained in'the 1 compartment is is compressed during-upward movementliof the piston and consequently acts as a shock absorbing medium, movement of the piston ina' downward direction during rebound being controlled bythe'restricted flow of oil from the upper compartment to the lower compartment. a

' 'I'hewheel i is mountedin'a wheel-fork which is conveniently formed in'two halves, the componentv parts of which are clamped to; opposite ends of a pivot pin 3|, located in bearings 32, in a bracket attached tothe loweruend fof the cylinder 5, thepivotp'in ll being offsetrelaferentbrakes.

steering purposesiwhen taxi-mg. 1 I

tively to,the.axis.ofthe cylinder and extending forwardly and downwardly therefrom; The component parts of the wheel-fork '30 are also'inter! mediate theirlength'clamped to the opposite ends of a further 'pivotpin 34, located in bearings,

V in a part attached to the lower end of the hol lowpistonrodifl, the arrangement beingsuch thattheiwheeland its associated forKare fre'e to pivot about the pivot pin it in an upward and downward: direction. The bracket 33 is surroundedat its upper end by a sleeve-like membe! "which isattachedto thelower end of 'a downwardly dependingiextension on the member 2, the 'memberj'l serving asa shield to prevent the ingress of a dust or 'duringtaxi-ing of the l The closure member fliclosing the cylinder at itsupper end, carries a diametricallyarranged pin 30, the extremitiesof which" carry rollers a revolubly-mountedon needle-typerollerbear ,the rollers co-op'erating withcaxnsurfaces ll formed on a member 42, locatedwithin ment of .the wheel either when man-handling the aircraft on the ground or inthe hanger, or

byoperation of the rudder-control surfaces for steering-purposes when taxi-ing, or action of dif- Ifldesired, the cylinder, wheelfo'rlr, or associated rotatable' parts may be connected to the rudder bar or other rudder, control member for Itis preferred, however,v to connect the rudder or rudder operating memberor members with the cam "whereby the said rudder. or rudder operating member or members will not be subjected to any direct shock resulting fromthe tail wheel being deflected laterally as a result ,of

' striking a'n obstruction whilst at the same time permitting of complete rotation of the wheel fork and itsassociated wheel about the axis. of the compression cylinder. With such an arrangement it is preferredtoarrange a thrust race above the upper surface oi' 'the cam H, the thrust race being carried by anabutment on theinner surfaceof the: outer casing, the'cambeing-so arranged that it .has a limited, rotational movement. TBy pivotally connecting "the wheel-fork 1 to the lower end of' the compression cylinder or Patent'ofgthe United States is:

the casingsL'the cam surfaces'bein'g of arcuate, I

substantially arcuate,..or other si'iitable shape;

the wheelasis theiusualpractice j a partyas'sociated therewith suchas the bracket =33, andconnectingthe wheel-fork-to' the piston by means, ofa connecting'rod in pivotal con- :nection with the wheel-fork and piston, the pistong'a'nd its assq iated cylinder are relieved of lateral stresses to, which they would otherwise be subjected were thepiston rigidly associated with 2mm 1- claim-and desire to secure, by Letters 1. A shock absorber strut for aircraft tail wheel or noseiwh'eel landing gear units, comprisinga compression cylinder for containing the shock absorbing fluid, a piston slidably mounted there:

in, a coupling member attached to said piston and adapted for. connection with a wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a pistonlike mem-'- ber located within said cylinderv and-serving to divide said cylinder into upper and lower compartments, said pistonlike member having an oil passage for the transfer-of fiuidfrom one compartment to the other, a, tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder in which sleeve said cylin der can rotate about its axis and have a limited endwise sliding movement within said sleeve, a

bracket on said cylinder for carryingthe wheel compression cylinder for containing the shock absorbing fluid, a piston slidably mounted therein, a coupling member attached to said piston and adapted for connection with a wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a piston like member located within saidcylinder and serving todivide said cylinder into upper and lower compartwithin said piston like member forclosing the oil transfer passage during downward movement of ments, said piston like member having, an "oil passage for the transfer of "fluid from one compartment to the other, a tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder in which sleeve said cylinder can rotate about its axis and. have a limited endwise sliding movement within said sleeve, a'bracket on said cylinder for carrying the wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a self centering cam and cooperating rollers carried by saidsleeve and said cylinder, said cam and rollers being maintained in operative engagement when the wheel is in contact with the ground by the upward thrust exerted by the wheel under the weight of the air-,

craft to produce a self centering action but permit ofa castoring movement and a spring acting upon the cam and rollers to maintain them in engagement when the aircraft is in the air.

3. A shock absorber strut for aircraft tail wheel or nose wheel landing gear units, comprising a compression cylinder for containing the shock absorbing fluid, a piston slidably mounted therein, a coupling member attached to said piston and adapted for connection with a wheelfork or other wheel carrying member,,a piston like mem ber located within said cylinder and serving to divide said cylinder into upper and lower compartments, said piston like member having an oil passage for the transfer of fluid from one compartment to the other, a valve slidable axially within said piston like member for closing the oil transfer passage during downward movement of the sliding piston, a tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder in which sleeve said cylinder can rotate about its axis and have a limited endwise sliding movement within said sleeve, a bracket on said cylinder for carrying the wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a self centering cam and co-operating rollers carried by said sleeve and said cylinder, said cam and rollers being maintained in operative engagement when the wheel is in contact with the ground by the upward thrust exerted by the wheel under the weight of the aircraft to produce a self centering action but permit, of a castorinz movement, and aspring acting upon the cam and rollers to maintain them in engagement when the aircraft is in theain; V T

4. A shock absorber strut for aircraft tail wheel or nosewheel landing gear units, comprising a compression cylinder for containing the shock absorbing fluid, ajpiston slidably mounted therein, a coupling memberattached to said piston and adapted for connection with a wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a piston like member located within said cylinder and servingto divide said cylinder into upper and lower compartments, said piston like member having an oil passage for the transfer of fluid from one compartment to the other, a. valve slidable axially the slidingpiston, a spring for holding said valve inits closed position, a tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder in which sleeve said cylinder can rotate about its axis and havea limited 'e'nd wise sliding movement within said sleeve, a bracket on said" cylinder fof carrying the wheel fork or other wheel carrying, member, a self centering scam and co-operating rollers carried by said sleeve and said cylinder, said cam and rollers being maintained in operative engagement when the wheel is in contact with the-groundby the upward thrust exerted by the wheel under the weight of the aircraft to produce a self centering action but permit of a castoring'movement, and

a spring acting upon thejcam and rollers to maintain them inengagement when theaircraft is inthe air. I V

5. A shock absorberstrut for aircraft tail wheel or nose wheel landing'gear units; compris ing a compression cylinder for, containing the shockabsorbing. fluid, a pistonslidably mounted therein, a coupling member attached to said 'piston-and adapted for connectionwith a wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a piston like member located-within said cylinder and serving to divide said cylinder into upper and lower compartments, said piston like member having an oil passage for the transfer of fluid from one compartment to the other, a valve slidable axially within said'piston like member for closing the oil transfer passage during downward movement of the sliding piston, additional oil transfer passages through which oil can pass slowly from one compartment to the other when the vahFis closed, a tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder, in which sleeve said cylinder' can rotate about its axis-andhave a limited endwise sliding movement within said sleeve, a bracket on said cylinder for carrying the wheel fork or other wheel carrying member,'a .self centering cam and 'co-operating rollers carried by said a sleeve and said cylinder, said cam'and rollers being maintained in operative engagement when the wheel is in contact with the ground by the upward thrust exerted by the wheel 'under the 1 weight of the aircraft to produce a selffcentering action but permit of a castoring. movement, and

a spring acting upon the ,'cam and rollers to,

maintain them in engagement when the aircraft is in the air.

6..A shock absorber strut for aircraft tail wheel or nose wheel landing gear units, comprising a compression cylinder for containing the shock absorbing fluid, a piston slidably mounted therein, a coupling member attached tolsaid piston and adapted for connection with a wheel fork or other wheel carrying member, a piston like memberlocated within said cylinder andserving to divide said cylinder into upper and lower ccm-j partments, said piston like'member being carried by a tubular support arranged 'airially o'f: the cylinder and depending downwardly from an 'endflcapclcsing said' cylinder at its upper end, said piston like member having an oil passage for"the"transfer oi' fluid irom one compartment about its axis andhave a limited endwise sliding,

' movement within saidsleeve, a bracketon said the weight of the aircraft to produce'a selt cen- .tering action but permit of a castoring move ment, said coupling member attached to the sliding piston projecting downwardly from the lower s the other,"a tubular sleeve; surrounding said cylinder illjIhiQh sleevefs'aid cylinder can rotate cylinder fencarrying the wheel forklor otherr wheel carrying member and a self centering cam and ce-operating; rollers carried by said' sleeve and said cylinder; said :camyand rollers being wheel is incontact with'the ground by the upward thrust exerted by the wheel Aunder'the weight of the aircraftto produce'a' self centering; action? but permit of a: castoring movement. [:5 v ,7. A shock absorber strut forai'rcraft'tail wheel or nosewheel landing gear units, comprisinga compressionfcylinder for containing -the:shock '7 absorbing fluid-{a piston slidably mounted therein, a coupling member ,attachedto said piston and adapted for connection with a -wheel" fork or' V ether wheel carrying memben a piston like member lccated within said cylinder and serving vto divide said cylinder into upper and lower come partments; said piston like member havingf an' oil passage for the transferof fluidfromone compartment tof the omega-tubular sleeve surrounding said cylinder in which sleeve said 'cylinder can rotate about its axis and have alimited endwise-sliding'movement within said sleeve, a

V bracket'on said'cylinderfcr carrying the wheel for]: or other wheel carrying member, a 'selfcentering'cam' and co-operating rollers carried "by said sleeve and said cylinder; said earn and-rollers being maintained "in operative engag'ement when therwheel isrin contact with the ground by maintained in operative engage'ment when the endof the cylindenanda'soft'washer fitting closely" within thelowe'r end -oiPs'aid cylinderand fitting closelyl'around: 'saidcoupling member but permitting of the 'requisite lateral movement of the coupling member resulting from arcuate movement of' the 'wheel and at the same time preventing the ingress of grit and moisture at the lower end of "said cylinder.

8. A shockabsorber strut for aircraft tail wheel or nose wheel landing gear units, comprising a compression-cylinder for containing the shock rounding said cylinder in which sleeve said'cylinder'can rotate about its axisand have a limited endwisezsliding movement within said sleev'e, a bracket on said cylinder forgcarrying the wheel fork {or 'other wheel carrying member, a self f centering cam and co-operating rollers carried gby said sleeve and-said-cylinder, said: cam and i rollers being maintined in operative engagement 1 whenithe wheel-i'sincontact with theground by the (upward thrust exerted by the wheel under the weightof" theaircraft to: produce a self centering action but permitof a castoring movement; said cylinder having an oil and air inlet I opening at'its upper end'te'rminating in a dip the upward thrust exerted bythe wheel-under tube ar'ranged'jthat when the requisite quantity of oilfis contained insaid cylinder the outlet is beneath the surface of the oil thereby providing an'oi l seal. 7

LEONARD EUGENE COWEY. 

